Shelby native to run for district attorney

Published: Monday, February 10, 2014 at 02:39 PM.

A Shelby native announced Monday he intends to run for district attorney.

John Bridges – who’s worked as a police officer, medic, small business owner and attorney – said he made the decision to run for the office after encouragement from friends.

“I now wish to continue my service by being elected as the next district attorney for Lincoln and Cleveland counties,” he said in an email statement to The Star. “District attorneys in North Carolina have a duty to seek justice. With my lifetime of experience, I bring a perspective of one who has been on all sides of the criminal justice system, having witnessed and experienced firsthand the devastation crime can cause a family and the whole community.”

Bridges said he worked at the Shelby Police Department for 18 years before going to law school at Campbell University in 2007.

During his career as a police officer, he worked in patrol, detective, supervision, internal affairs, administration and training capacities.

Bridges said he also served as a volunteer for the Shelby Rescue Squad, where he is a life member and former chief.

In addition to public service, he said he operated a small business for several years that provided landscaping and repair services to rental companies.

Bridges is a Shelby High School graduate, received a bachelor’s in criminal justice at Gardner-Webb University, and studied at the Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law at Campbell University.

Bridges has two children, Jacob and Sydney.

-- staff reports

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A Shelby native announced Monday he intends to run for district attorney.

John Bridges – who’s worked as a police officer, medic, small business owner and attorney – said he made the decision to run for the office after encouragement from friends.

“I now wish to continue my service by being elected as the next district attorney for Lincoln and Cleveland counties,” he said in an email statement to The Star. “District attorneys in North Carolina have a duty to seek justice. With my lifetime of experience, I bring a perspective of one who has been on all sides of the criminal justice system, having witnessed and experienced firsthand the devastation crime can cause a family and the whole community.”

Bridges said he worked at the Shelby Police Department for 18 years before going to law school at Campbell University in 2007.

During his career as a police officer, he worked in patrol, detective, supervision, internal affairs, administration and training capacities.

Bridges said he also served as a volunteer for the Shelby Rescue Squad, where he is a life member and former chief.

In addition to public service, he said he operated a small business for several years that provided landscaping and repair services to rental companies.

Bridges is a Shelby High School graduate, received a bachelor’s in criminal justice at Gardner-Webb University, and studied at the Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law at Campbell University.